ATHLETICS: Kendricks defends in emotional vault, Brazier set U.S. record in 800, Lyles wins 200 at IAAF Worlds!

Two-time World Champion Sam Kendricks (USA) (Photo: IAAF)

On a day when the temperatures in Doha, Qatar reached 103 degrees (F) with humidity about 70%, some of the hottest competition of the entire IAAF World Championships took place on the track and in the infield.

Perhaps the most emotional was the pole vault, which narrowed from the initial 12 men to the medalists in just three heights as Piotr Lisek (POL), Mondo Duplantis (SWE) and defending champ Sam Kendricks (USA) after 5.80 m (19-0 1/4).

None had missed, but the vaulting really started at 5.87 m (19-3). Duplantis and Lisek made it on their second tries, but Kendricks missed twice and – after moving the standards further back – had to snake over the bar on his third try to keep jumping.

Now the bar was at 5.92 m (19-5) and Kendricks put enormous pressure on the other two with a first-time clearance. Lisek missed once, and knowing that he couldn’t win at that height, passed to the next height. Duplantis kept jumping and made it on his third try to stay in it.

At 5.97 m (19-7), Lisek missed his remaining two jumps and was eliminated. Duplantis missed twice, Kendricks missed twice, but then Duplantis snaked over the bar for a clearance and stood in the pit, soaking in the cheers of the crowd that had gathered at that end of the stadium.

Now it was up to Kendricks, who could stay in the lead or settle for silver. He managed excellent speed on the runway and perfect form at the top to clear the height, and on we went.

The next height was 6.02 m (19-9) and Duplantis took his 11th, 12th and 13th jumps of the session and missed; he was embraced by Kendricks on the pit after Duplantis failed on his final attempt. Kendricks missed twice and then skipped his final attempt with his victory secured.

The camaraderie of the three medal winners was symbolized when Duplantis and Kendricks were joined by Lisek for a synchronized somersault! Kendricks said afterwards of his successful title defense in high heat and humidity: “It got messy.”

In the 200 m, it was all about Noah Lyles, who had a favorable lane draw in five, one lane behind the super-starter Adam Gemili (GBR).

Both got a good start, with Gemili leading Lyles off the turn, but as soon as Lyles hit the straightaway, his unmatched top-end speed took over and he took the lead with 70 m to go and won by daylight in 19.83.

Canada’s Andre De Grasse came up for second in 19.95 and Ecuador’s Alex Quinonez made it an Americas sweep in 19.98, as Gemili got fourth in 20.03.

Lyles finishes his season with six finals in the 200 m, all under 20 seconds, and five wins. His average finals time this season was an astonishing 19.70!

American Donovan Brazier was expected to win the men’s 800 meters, but under what circumstances? From the front as he did early in his career, or from the back like in the Diamond League Final?

Puerto Rico’s Wesley Vazquez took the lead as he always does and led Brazier through the 400 m in a seemingly-suicidal 48.96. Could Vasquez hold on? Brazier, looking absolutely full of run, breezed by him with 300 m to go and set sail.

With 200 m to go, Vasquez was still second, but Amel Tuka (BIH) came on over the home straight for second, but couldn’t touch Brazier, who finished in an American Record time of 1:42.34. It’s the first-ever World Championships gold for the U.S. men at 800 m and only the third-ever medal!

Behind Brazier and Tuka (1:43.47), Vasquez was fading badly and was passed by Ferguson Rotich (KEN) for the bronze in 1:43.82 and then by Bryce Hoppel of the U.S. in a lifetime best of 1:44.25. Vasquez ended up fifth in a very credible time of 1:44.48. Clayton Murphy of the U.S. was eighth in 1:47.84.

Brazier’s 1:42.34 moves him to equal-ninth on the all-time list, erasing Johnny Gray’s 1:42.60 American standard from way back in 1985.

Quite a day for the U.S., but hardly the end of the drama. In the women’s javelin, China’s Shiying Liu (65.88 m/216-2) and Huihui Lyu (65.49 m/214-10) were standing 1-2 when Australia’s Kelsey-Lee Barber – in fourth place – came up for her final throw. She uploaded a perfectly-arced throw that landed at 66.56 m (218-4) and made her the stunning winner!

American Kara Winger also did well, finishing fifth at 63.23 m (207-5).

There was a lot more action on Tuesday in the qualifying:

Men/400 m: Grenada’s Kirani James, the 2012 Olympic champ, has been badly hampered by injuries, but had the fastest first-round time at 44.94, in winning heat two. Americans Michael Norman and Fred Kerley advanced without issue in 45.00 and 45.19; Vernon Norwood and Nathan Strother struggled to move on with 45.59 and 45.71.

One notable performance was from Kenyan Emmanuel Korir, who won heat six in 45.08; he’s better known at the 800 m, but he could be a contender here.

Men/Steeple: The third heat showed that Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto is back from injury. He was talking to the other runners, waved to the crowd, told fellow Kenyan Ben Kigen to slow down on the home straight … and then won in 8:19.20. Ethiopia’s Getnet Wale won the first heat in 8:12.96 and Lamecha Girma (ETH) won heat two in 8:16.64. Americans Andy Bayer (8:18.66) and Stanley Kebenei (8:19.02) made it as time qualifiers and Hillary Bor automatically qualified with a third in heat three (8:20.67).

Men/High Jump: The main group of qualifiers cleared 2.29 m (7-6), including Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim, who received plenty of cheers from the home crowd. American Jeron Robinson made that height, as did Ivan Ivanyuk (RUS), Brandon Starc (AUS), Michael Mason (CAN); world leader Maksim Nedasekau (BLR) qualified, but made only 2.26 m (7-5).

Men/Hammer: Polish power was in evidence as Pawel Fajdek led the qualifying at 79.24 m (260-0), followed by Wojciech Nowicki (77.89 m/255-6). American Rudy Winkler made it to the final, fourth overall with 77.06 m (252-10).

Women/200 m: With withdrawals by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM), Marie-Josee Ta Lou (CIV) and defending champ Dafne Schippers (NED) in the heats, then a disqualification of Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare in the heats, the semis were further decimated when Rio Olympic champ Elaine Thompson (JAM) did not start.

That left Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith as the clear favorite and she underlined it with a brilliant 22.16 win in the third semi. But all the carnage has also opened the door for the U.S. as Angie Annelus won the first semi in 22.49 and Brittany Brown won semi two (22.46). Hot starter Dezerea Bryant was second in the third semi (behind Asher-Smith) in 22.56.

Women/400 m: Shaunae Miller-Uibo was clearly the best, winning semi two in 49.66, fastest of the day. Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser won semi one in 49.79, the only other sub-50 mark. The U.S. qualified Wadeline Jonathas (lifetime best 50.07) and defending champ Phyllis Francis (50.22), but Kendell Ellis (51.58) didn’t make it and Shakima Wimbley pulled up with 100 m to go and walked to the finish after feeling pain in her legs.

Women/400 m hurdles: No problems for Sydney McLaughlin (54.45) or Dalilah Muhammad (54.87) of the U.S. as they won their heats. Ashley Spencer of the U.S. barely qualified, finishing fourth in her heat (55.28), but defending champ Kori Carter pulled up on the back straight, finishing off an injury-plagued year. The best non-U.S. mark was a Norwegian national record of 54.72 for Amalie Iuel, who ran at USC.

Summaries so far:

IAAF World Championships
Doha (QAT) ~ 27 September-6 October 2019
(Full results here)

Men

100 m (wind +0.6 m/s): 1. Christian Coleman (USA), 9.76; 2. Justin Gatlin (USA), 9.89; 3. Andre De Grasse (CAN), 9.90; 4. Akani Simbine (RSA), 9.93; 5. Yohan Blake (JAM), 9.97; 6. Zharnel Hughes (GBR), 10.03; 7. Flilppo Tortu (ITA), 10.07; 8. Aaron Brown (CAN), 10.08.

200 m (+0.3): 1. Noah Lyles (USA), 19.83; 2. Andre De Grasse (CAN), 19.95; 3. Alex Quinonez (ECU), 19.98; 4. Adam Gemili (GBR), 20.03; 5. Ramil Guliyev (TUR), 20.07; 6. Aaron Brown (CAN), 20.10; 7. Zhenye Xie (CHN), 20.14; 8. Kyle Greaux (TTO), 20.39.

800 m: 1. Donavan Brazier (USA), 1:42.34 (American Record; old, 1:42.60, Johnny Gray, 1985); 2. Amel Tuka (BIH), 1:43.47; 3. Ferguson Rotich (KEN), 1:43.83; 4. Bryce Hoppel (USA), 1:44.25; 5. Wesley Vazquez (PUR), 1:44.48; 6. Adrian Ben (ESP), 1:45.58; 7. Marco Arop (CAN), 1:45.78; 8. Clayton Murphy (USA), 1:47.84.

5,000 m: 1. Muktar Edris (ETH), 12:58.85; 2. Selemon Barega (ETH), 12:59.70; 3. Mo Ahmed (CAN), 13:01.11; 4. Telahun Haile Bekele (ETH), 13:02.29; 5. Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR), 13:02.93; 6. Jacob Krop (KEN), 13:03.08; 7. Paul Chelimo (USA), 13:04.60; 8. Nicholas Kimeli (KEN), 13:05.27. Also: 11. Hassan Mead (USA), 13:27.05.

400 m hurdles: 1. Karsten Warholm (NOR), 47.42; 2. Rai Benjamin (USA), 47.66; 3. Abderrahmane Samba (QAT), 48.03; 4. Kyron McMaster (IVB), 48.10; 5. T.J. Holmes (USA), 48.20; 6. Yasmani Copello (TUR), 48.25; 7. Alison Dos Santos (BRA), 48.28; 8. Abdelmalik Lahoulou (ALG), 49.46.

50 km Walk: 1. Yusuke Suzuki (JPN), 4:04:20; 2. Joao Vieira (POR), 4:04:59; 3. Evan Dunfee (CAN), 4:05:02; 4. Wenbin Niu (CHN), 4:05:36; 5. Yadong Luo (CHN), 4:06:49; 6. Brendan Boyce (IRL), 4:07:06; 7. Carl Dohmann (GER), 4:10:22; 8. Jesus Angel Garcia (ESP), 4:11:28.

Pole Vault: 1. Sam Kendricks (USA), 5.97 m (19-7); 2. Mondo Duplantis (SWE), 5.97 m (19-7); 3. Piotr Lisek (POL), 5.87 m (19-3); 4. Bo Lita Baehre (GER), 5.70 m (18-8 1/4); 5. Thiago Braz (BRA), 5.70 m (18-8 1/4); 6. tie, Raphael Holzdeppe (GER) and Valentin Lavillenie (FRA), 5.70 m (18-8 1/4); 8. Claudio Stecchi (ITA), 5.70 m (18-8 1/4). Also: 10. Cole Walsh (USA), 5.55 m (18-2 1/2).

Long Jump: 1. Tajay Gayle (JAM), 8.69 m (28-6 1/4); 2. Jeff Henderson (USA), 8.39 m (27-6 1/2); 3. Juan Miguel Echevarria (CUB), 8.34 m (27-4 1/2); 4. Luvo Manyonga (RSA), 8.28 m (27-2); 5. Ruswahl Samaai (RSA), 8.23 m (27-0); 6. Jianan Wang (CHN), 8.20 m (26-11); 7. Eusebio Caceres (ESP), 8.01 m (26-3 1/2); 8. Yuki Hashioka (JPN), 7.97 m (26-1 3/4).

Triple Jump: 1. Christian Taylor (USA), 17.92 m (58-9 1/2); 2. Will Claye (USA), 17.74 m (58-2 1/2); 3. Hugues Zango (BUR), 17.66 m (57-11 1/4); 4. Pedro Pablo Pichardo (POR), 17.62 m (57-9 3/4); 5. Cristian Napoles (CUB),17.38 m (57-0 1/4); 6. Donald Scott (USA), 17.17 m (56-4); 7. Alexis Copello (AZE), 17.10 m (57-1 1/4); 8. Jordan Diaz Fortun (CUB), 17.06 m (55-11 3/4).

Discus: 1. Daniel Stahl (SWE), 67.59 m (221-9); 2. Fedrick Dacres (JAM), 66.94 m (219-7); 3. Lukas Weisshaidinger (AUT), 66.82 m (219-3); 4. Alin Firfirica (ROU), 66.46 m (218-0); 5. Apostolos Parellis (CYP), 66.32 m (217-7); 6. Matthew Denny (AUS), 65.43 m (214-8); 7. Ehsan Hadadi (IRI), 65.16 m (213-9); 8. Martin Wierig (GER), 64.98 m (213-2). Also: 11. Sam Mattis (USA), 63.42 m (208-1).

Women

100 m (+0.1): 1. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM), 10.71; 2. Dina Asher-Smith (GBR), 10.83; 3. Marie-Josee Ta Lou (CIV), 10.90; 4. Elaine Thompson (JAM), 10.93; 5. Murielle Ahoure (CIV), 11.02; 6. Jonielle Smith (JAM), 11.06; 7. Teahna Daniels (USA), 11.19; did not start – Dafne Schippers (NED).

3,000 m Steeple: 1. Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN), 8:57.84; 2. Emma Coburn (USA), 9:02.35; 3. Gesa Krause (GER), 9:03.30; 4. Winfred Yavi (BRN), 9:05.68; 5. Peruth Chemutai (UGA), 9:11.08; 6. Courtney Frerichs (USA), 9:11.27; 7. Anna Moller (DEN), 9:13.46; 8. Hyvin Kiyeng (KEN), 9:13.53.

10,000 m: 1. Sifan Hassan (NED), 30.17.62; 2. Letesenbet Gidey (ETH), 30:21.23; 3. Agnes Tirop (KEN), 30:25.20; 4. Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN), 30:35.75; 5. Hellen Obiri (KEN), 30:35.82; 6. Senbere Teferi (ETH), 30:44.23; 7. Susan Krumins (NED), 31:05.40; 8. Marielle Hall (USA), 31:05.71. Also: 9. Molly Huddle (USA), 31:07.24; 10. Emily Sisson (USA), 31:12.56.

Marathon: 1. Ruth Chepngetich (KEN), 2:32:43; 2. Rose Chelimo (BRN), 2:33:46; 3. Helelia Johannes (NAM), 2:34:15; 4. Edna Kiplagat (KEN), 2:35:36; 5. Volha Mazuronak (BLR), 2:36:21; 6. Roberta Groner (USA), 2:38:44; 7. Mizuki Tanimoto (JPN), 2:39:09; 8. Ji Hyang Kim (PRK), 2:41:24. Also: 13. Carrie Dimoff (USA), 2:44:35.

50 km Walk: 1. Rui Liang (CHN), 4:23:26; 2. Maocuo Li (CHN), 4:26:40; 3. Elenorora Giorgi (ITA), 4:29:13; 4. Olena Sobchuk (UKR), 4:33:38; 5. Faying Ma (CHN), 4:34:56; 6. Khrystyna Yudkina (UKR), 4:36:00; 7. Magaly Bonilla (ECU), 4:37:03; 8. Julia Takacs (ESP), 4:38:20. Also: 17. Katie Burnett (USA), 5:23:05.

High Jump: 1. Mariya Lasitskene (RUS), 2.04 m (6-8 1/4); 2. Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR), 2.04 m (6-8 1/4); 3. Vashti Cunningham (USA), 2.00 m (6-6 3/4); 4. Yuliya Levchenko (UKR), 2./00 m (6-6 3/4); 5. Kamila Licwinko (POL), 1.98 m (6-6); 6. Karyna Demidik (BLR), 1.96 m (6-5); 7. Ana Simic (CRO), 1.93 m (6-4); 8. Ty Butts (USA), 1.93 m (6-4).

Pole Vault: 1. Anzhelika Sidorova (RUS), 4.95 m (16-2 3/4); 2. Sandi Morris (USA), 4.90 m (16-0 3/4); 3. Katerina Stefanidi (GRE), 4.85 m (15-11); 4. Holly Bradshaw (GBR), 4.80 m (15-9); 5. Alysha Newman (CAN), 4.80 m (15-9); 6. Angelica Bengtsson (SWE), 4.80 m (15-9); 7. tie, Iryna Zhuk (BLR), Jenn Suhr (USA) and Katie Nagetotte (USA), 4.70 m (15-5).

Hammer: 1. DeAnna Price (USA), 77.54 m (251-1); 2. Joanna Fiodorow (POL), 76.35 m (250-6); 3. Zheng Wang (CHN), 74.76 m (245-3); 4. Zalina Petrivskaya (MDA), 74.33 m (243-10); 5. Iryna Klymets (UKR), 73.56 m (241-4); 6. Alexandra Tavernier (FRA), 73.33 m (240-7); 7. Hanna Skydan (AZE), 72.83 m (238-11); 8. Na Luo (CHN), 72.04 m (236-4).

Javelin: 1. Kelsey-Lee Barber (AUS), 66.56 m (218-4); 2. Shiyeng Liu (CHN), 65.88 m (216-2); 3. Huihui Lyu (CHN), 65.49 m (214-10); 4. Christin Hussong (GER), 65.21 m (213-11); 5. Kara Winger (USA), 63.23 m (207-5); 6. Tatsiana Khaladovich (BLR), 62.54 m (205-2); 7. Sara Kolak (CRO), 62.28 m (204-4); 8. Annu Rani (IND), 61.12 m (200-6).

Mixed

4×400 m: 1. United States (Wil London, Allyson Felix, Courtney Okolo, Michael Cherry), 3:09.34 (World Record; old, 3:12.42, U.S. in semis); 2. Jamaica, (Allen, McGregor, James, Francis), 3:11.78; 3. Bahrain (Isah, Jamal, Naser, Abbas), 3:11.82; 4. Great Britain, 3:12.27; 5. Poland, 3:12.33; 6. Belgium, 3:14.22; 7. India, 3:15.77; 8. Brazil, 3:16.22.